Bayer says its Xarelto shows lower risk of stroke, brain haemorrhage for irregular heart rhythm condition vs BMS’ Coumadin

pharmafile | April 19, 2016 | News story | Manufacturing and Production, Research and Development Bayer, Bristol-Myers Squibb, anti blood-clot, drug trial 

New trials for anti blood-clotting drug Xarelto (rivaroxaban) showed lower risk of stroke and haemorrhage in patients with irregular heart rhythm compared with Bristol-Myer Squibb’s (NYSE: BMY) Coumadin (warfarin), Germany-based Bayer (ETR: BAYN) said Tuesday.

The trials were conducted in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF), an irregular heart rhythm.

Luis Felipe Graterol, medical director at Bayer UK said: “An estimated 1.5 million people in the UK are currently living with AF, putting them at increased risk of having a stroke. The latest findings confirm that rivaroxaban is an important prescription option to help minimise risk of stroke in patients with AF, potentially helping to reduce the burden of stroke on the healthcare system as well as on individual patients and their families.”

The Phase III study evaluated the occurrence of ischemic stroke and intracranial haemorrhage (ICH) in patients with non-valvular AF taking either Xarelto or Coumadin.

Atrial fibrillation, affects an estimated 1.5 million people in the UK and costs the NHS over 1.8 billion pounds in patient days spent in hospital beds alone. In the UK, about 150,000 people suffer from stroke each year. Atrial fibrillation is the most powerful risk factor for stroke, and thought to be directly responsible for 20% of strokes.

AF-related strokes are easily prevented with anticoagulants and novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs) – such as rivaroxaban – provide a simplified treatment option compared to traditional therapies, such as warfarin.

Anjali Shukla

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